תיאור מקרה: מודעות לוויסות חושי ככלי לטיפול בהפרעה דיספורית קדם וִסתית

Abstract

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), affecting women's emotional, mental, and somatic states, severely interrupts functioning and occupational engagement. Interventions customarily include psychological, hormonal, and psychiatric treatments; we found no information regarding sensory intervention or sensory-system characterization of women coping with PMDD. This case study concerns a woman hospitalized for worsening PMDD symptoms, functional deterioration, and sensory-system changes. The woman received client-centered occupational therapy intervention addressing sensory modulation and coping strategies in order to extend the duration of time she could participate in daily occupations. Results show awareness of sensory aspects as meaningful to the woman. The sensory-modulation intervention promoted her feeling of control and ability to adjust reactions to the environment. She reported an increase in awareness of the difficulties and in her ability to manage and participate in daily activities. It is recommended to address sensory aspects in interventions with women with PMDD as well as further studies, to establish knowledge about the sensory components in this disorder.